Drink can lid with closure cap

ABSTRACT

The drink can has an off-center opening in its lid, which is firmly connected to the body surface, and is fastened to the body surface by a flanged rim. A closure cap is arranged in a rotatable but non-removable fashion, on this flanged rim. The closure cap has two annular beads that are directed towards the lid, and of which the second annular bead surrounds an opening which has the same eccentricity as the opening in the lid. The first annular bead surrounds a closed region that comprises a sealing ring and a deformable bulge. In the closed state of the drink can, the sealing ring rests on the apex of an annular bead that surrounds the opening. The annular bead is therefore also arranged to be off-center, so that it surrounds the annular bead when the closure cap is in the appropriate rotational position. After the convex bulge has been pressed into a permanent concave position, the closure cap can be rotated, so that the opening in the closure cap aligns with the opening in the lid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

a) Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a drink can comprising a lid that is fastenedto the cylindrical can body by means of a flanged rim, an off-centeropening and a closure cap that covers over the entire lid and is mountedon the flanged rim in a rotatable but non-removable fashion, by means ofa marginal bead.

b) Description of the Related Art

Drink cans of this type, which are provided for beer and the widestpossible range of non-alcoholic refreshments, have in the lid apre-stamped, tear-open region and a tear-open tab that is riveted tothis region and with which the pre-stamped region can be separated out.The fact that a can, once opened, cannot be closed again isdisadvantageous in the case of such drink cans.

A drink can of the type explained at the beginning, but having apre-stamped, tear-open region in the lid, and a tear-open tab riveted tothis region, is known from DE 82 30 293.6 U1. In the case of this knowndrink can, which corresponds to the previously usual drink cans, afterthe tear-out opening has been opened, a closure cap having a marginalbead is clipped onto the flanged rim, this closure cap having an openingthat can be brought into a position aligning with the removal opening.This configuration makes it possible, after the closure cap has beenclipped on, either to protect the still unopened can better againstaccidental opening, or to close the already opened can.

This clipped-on closure cap, which does not have any additional sealingsurfaces around the removal opening, is not able to dose an alreadyopened can so that nothing can run out, since the content of the drinkcan may get between the can lid and the clipped-on closure cap and therecan emerge from the opening in the closure cap, even when the latter isoffset with respect to the removal opening in the lid by rotating theclosure cap. This closure cap is able only to offer protection againstpenetrating insects or against running out immediately in the event ofthe can being turned over briefly, but a leaktight closure fortransport, during which the cans are under certain circumstances turnedupside down, is not possible. In addition, at the time of the disposalof the empty can, attention must be paid to the fact that the closurecap, which consists of soft plastic must be disposed of separately. Theseparate manufacture of a closure cap consisting of soft plastic, whichis subsequently applied by the consumer, is cumbersome to handle, sinceit has to be carried along in addition to the can. If such a closure capis already applied by the manufacturer, then it has to be removed firstbefore the opening of the can and then clipped on again, which iscumbersome. In addition, the manufacture of a closure cap consisting ofsoft plastic is expensive in relation to the drink cans which areefficiently produced in large-scale mass production and consist ofaluminium sheet.

GB 607 139 discloses a closure for containers in which, between the lidof the container and the rotatably mounted closure cap, a soft elasticinlay is provided, which likewise has an opening aligning with theopening in the closure cap and, in this position, is retained by aninwardly drawn rim of the closure cap. Such a closure is well suited fora granular or powdery content and, even in the case of liquid contents,largely prevents them running out, but is not suitable to be applied tothe can in the original state for drink cans which are under pressure,such as is the case in beer or cola cans, since this seal would notwithstand the pressure. Such a closure can also be applied subsequentlyto drink cans, which once more is associated with the disadvantagesdescribed further above.

FR 23 44 465 discloses a container for powdery or granular contents, forexample for herbs or spices, in which a container lid consisting ofplastic and having a cylindrical attachment can be pressed into acylindrical container and can be fixed there, the container lid having arim that is turned up and has a groove in which a closure lid, whichrests on the container lid, is rotatably held. The container lid has anoff-center opening which is surrounded by a sealing lip, the latterprojecting slightly beyond the upper surface of the container lid andthus being pressed against the inner surface of the closure lid.Although this closure is suitable for powdery media, it is not suitablefor liquid media under pressure, since the connection between containerlid and container body is not designed for a pressure-tight connection.In addition, such a closure lid could not be applied subsequently in thecase of the usual tear-open drink cans, since the latter have a lidwhich is permanently connected to the can body by a flanged connection.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a drink can which, with lowmanufacturing costs, provides significant advantages in use with respectto opening and re-dosing, this can being absolutely secure against thecontents running out, in particular in the re-closed state, not needingany subsequent closure cap that can be applied and also managing withouta tear-open tab for the opening of the can.

In order to achieve this object, on the basis of a drink cancorresponding to the type explained at the beginning, two possibilitiesare provided.

The first possibility is that the opening in the lid is surrounded by anannular bead having essentially conical bead flanks, that the closurecap has an off-center opening that can be brought into alignment withthe opening in the lid, that the closure cap has at least one off-centerannular bead that is directed towards the lid and has essentiallyconical bead flanks, surrounds a sealing ring and projects with respectto the latter in the direction of the lid, that, given an appropriaterotational position of the closure cap, the sealing ring rests in aleaktight manner and under pretension on the apex of the annular beadthat surrounds the opening in the lid, that, in the event of only oneannular bead being constructed, this surrounds the sealing ring and aclosed region placed within the sealing ring, and, in the closedposition of the closure cap (8), the sealing ring (16) rests in aleaktight manner and under pretension on the apex of the annular bead(5) that surrounds the opening (4) in the lid (1), that in the centralregion of the closure cap there is constructed a latching cam thatengages in a latching hollow in the lid, and that, when the closure capis rotated, the latching cam cooperates with the latching hollow and, inso doing, moves the inner region of the closure cap that is surroundedby the fixed marginal bead into a position in which the said region isresiliently bowed outwards and in which the sealing ring comes free fromthe annular bead that surrounds the opening.

In the case of this solution, at the beginning of the rotation of theclosure cap, because of the arrangement of the latching cam, whichengages in the latching hollow and is controlled upwards on the latter,the closure cap is bowed outwards, as a result of which the region thatcloses the opening in the lid, in particular the sealing ring, is liftedoff the annular bead that surrounds the opening in the lid, specificallyto such a great extent that the annular bead that surrounds the openingin the lid and the annular bead that surrounds the closed region and thesealing ring in the closure cap do not abut one another, that is to saydo not rub on one another with their bead flanks. This is particularlyimportant when both the lid and the closure cap consist of metal. Amutual rubbing movement without lifting the closure cap could cause ametallic taste in the drink. The annular bead around the opening in thelid and the annular bead around the sealing surface of the closure capare used to reinforce these regions, in order that the annular bead ofthe lid can be pressed with great force against the sealing ring, onaccount of the internal pressure in the drink can, without any bulgingof the closure cap, and hence leaks between the annular bead and thesealing ring, being able to occur. This fundamental configuration of theinvention, without a particular construction of the closed region, is tobe recommended only for those drink cans in which any type of sealing ofthe closed position is not involved.

If, on the other hand, safeguarding of the closed position is desired tothe extent that the first-time opening can be detected later, then afurther refinement of the invention is recommended, in which the annularbead of the closure cap, which in the closed position surrounds theannular bead that surrounds the opening in the lid, surrounds a closedregion that is formed by the sealing ring and a deformable bulge that islocated within the sealing ring, that, in order to open the drink canfor the first time, the bulge can be pressed in from its convex positioninto a permanent concave position, it being the case that, during thetransition from the convex into the concave position, the sealing ringcomes briefly free from the apex of the annular bead that surrounds theopening in the lid, in order then to rest again with pretension on theapex of the annular bead in the concave position of the bulge.

The permanent concave position of the bulge makes it possible to detectthat the drink can has already been opened once. The brief mutualremoval of the two bead apexes from each other, and the associated briefremoval of the sealing ring from the annular bead that surrounds theopening, not only leads to an escape of the gas pressure prevailing inthe can but also forms the precondition for bonding the sealing ring tothe annular bead, in order to safeguard the closed position better. As aresult of pressing in the bulge, this bonded connection, is destroyed,which in the case of a configuration of a drink can without such a bulgewould lead to considerable difficulties when opening the drink can onlyby rotating the closure cap. The bonded connection would present aconsiderable resistance to the rotational movement.

An advantageous development of the invention comprises the latching camand the latching hollow being formed by impressions, which are directedtowards the interior of the drink can and deviate from a circular shape,in both the lid and the closure cap, and these impressions engage in oneanother in the closed position of the closure cap.

If, in a development of the invention, the latching hollow in the lid issurrounded by a rim that projects outwards beyond the lid surface, thenwhen the closure cap is rotated, the latter is lifted to a particularlygreat extent off the lid, as a result of which the mutual rubbing of thetwo annular beads is reliably avoided.

According to the invention, a second possibility for achieving theobject set at the beginning, based on a drink can of the type explainedat the beginning, is that the opening in the lid is surrounded by anannular bead having essentially conical bead flanks, that the closurecap has an off-center opening that can be brought into alignment withthe opening in the lid, that the closure cap has at least one off-centerannular bead that is directed towards the lid and has essentiallyconical bead flanks, that, within the annular bead, in each casestarting from the inner bead flank, a flat sealing ring adjoins and,given an appropriate rotational position of the closure cap, rests in aleaktight manner and under pretension on the apex of the annular beadthat surrounds the opening in the lid, that, in the event of only oneannular bead being constructed, this surrounds a closed region that isformed by the sealing ring and a deformable bulge that is located withinthe sealing ring, that, in the closed position, the annular bead in theclosure cap surrounds the annular bead in the lid that surrounds theopening in the lid, and the sealing ring rests in a leaktight manner andunder pretension on the apex of the annular bead that surrounds theopening in the lid, that, in order to open the drink can for the firsttime, the bulge can be pressed in from its convex position into apermanent concave position, it being the case that, during thetransition from the convex into the concave position, the sealing ringcomes briefly free from the apex of the annular bead that surrounds theopening in the lid, in order then to rest again with pretension on thebead apex in the concave position, that the annular bead in the closurecap projects in the direction of the lid, beyond the sealing ring, andthat the region of the closure cap in which an annular bead isconstructed can be deflected resiliently with respect to the fixedmarginal bead of the closure cap.

By means of this configuration, it is possible to open the drink can bypressing in the deformable bulge, the snap-in movement triggered by thepressing in causing the sealing ring to come briefly free from theannular bead of the lid, as a result of which the positive pressure inthe drink can escapes and the closure cap can be rotated into a positionin which the opening in the closure cap aligns with the opening in thelid. After the removal of the desired quantity of drink, the drink canmay then be closed by rotating the closure cap, the rotation beingcarried out until the annular bead with the deformable bulge has beenpushed over the annular bead that surrounds the opening in the lid andsurrounds this annular bead, that is to say until the closure cap againassumes its rotational position or closed position that is provided inthe originally closed state. The sealing ring then rests with itssealing surface under pretension on the annular bead of the lid, as aresult of which the opening in the lid is again closed. Since thesealing surface is constructed on the sealing ring of the closure cap,it is lifted off the annular bead of the lid during the rotation of theclosure cap, as a result of the annular beads being pushed over eachother, by which means the destruction of this sealing surface on accountof possible frictional forces is avoided, and the sealing surfaceretains its serviceability even after the drink can has been opened manytimes. This is particularly important when the sealing rings areprovided with sealing elements, these sealing elements preferablyconsisting of elastomeric material.

Although the desired function is also achievable using only one annularbead in the closure cap, this bead surrounding the sealing ring and theclosed region, it is advantageous if, in a further refinement of theinvention, in the event of two annular beads being constructed andhaving sealing rings located on the inside in each case, the secondannular bead, with sealing ring, surrounds the opening in the closurecap. This configuration has the advantage that the opening rim in thelid is surrounded by the sealing ring when the can is opened, and thissealing ring, on account of the annular bead that surrounds it, can bepressed against the lid with a relatively large pretension, so that whenthe liquid is being poured out of the drink can, the said liquid cannotget between the lid and the closure cap.

It is advantageous if, in a further refinement of the invention, thereis constructed in the lid a second annular bead which corresponds to thesize and shaping of that annular bead that surrounds the opening in thelid. By this means, in the closed position the annular bead thatsurrounds the opening in the closure cap can rest, with its sealing-ringsurface adjacent on the inside, on this second annular bead in the lid,as a result of which any liquid that has penetrated between lid andclosure cap remains enclosed and cannot emerge from the opening in theclosure cap. In addition, it is ensured that, in the closed position,the closure cap is supported uniformly with respect to the lid, so thatany deformation of the closure cap, which would lead to the sealing-ringsurface lifting off the annular bead that surrounds the opening in thelid, is avoided. Of course, in this case the second annular bead isarranged in such a way that, given an appropriate rotational position ofthe closure cap, it can cooperate with each of the two annular beads ofthe closure cap and comes into alignment with the annular bead thatsurrounds the opening in the closure cap when the other annular bead ofthe closure cap aligns with the annular bead that surrounds the openingin the lid.

If, in a further refinement of the invention, the closure cap isconstructed like a plate with a marginal bead that widens conicallyoutwards, the outer free flank of the marginal bead being used forfastening to the flanged rim of the drink can, then by this means, evenwhen using a thin-walled closure cap, adequate pretension is achieved,which is necessary in order to press the sealing ring that is locatedwithin the corresponding annular bead against the annular bead of thelid.

This pretension can be further supported in that, in an advantageousfurther refinement of the invention, the bottom of the closure cap isbent slightly in the direction of the lid of the drink can.

In order to provide the necessary freedom of movement of these annularbeads when pressing in the deformable bulge and during the mutualrotation of the interengaging annular beads, provision is made, in adevelopment of the invention, for each resiliently constructed regionwhich accommodates an annular bead to be partly bounded by slits in theclosure cap, these slits extending at a distance from the respectiveannular bead, starting from the inner conical flank of the annular beadof the closure cap and extending over part of the closure cap dimension.

It is sufficient if each annular bead is assigned two slits, which arelocated in mirror-image fashion on opposite sides of the respectiveannular bead.

The construction of slits is particularly advantageous in the case ofclosure caps which consist of metal, for example stainless steel oraluminum. On the other hand, in the case of closure caps which aremanufactured from plastic, it is also possible to manage with deepgrooves instead of the slits.

A favorable resilient action of the regions accommodating the annularbeads results if the slits or grooves extend essentially parallel to atangent to an annular bead.

If, in a development of the invention, in the appropriate rotationalposition of the closure cap, in which the respective annular bead of theclosure cap surrounds the annular bead of the lid, the inner flanks ofthe annular beads that are constructed in the closure cap rest closelyon the outer flank of the annular bead assigned to the lid, then thepressing action of the sealing ring on the annular bead of the lid isincreased, in particular in the case of thin-walled closure caps. Inaddition, by this means the respective rotational position in the openedor closed state is precisely fixed, whereas such a fixed position is notprovided exactly if the respective annular bead of the closure capsurrounds the annular bead of the lid with a space.

A particularly advantageous refinement is provided by both the openingsin the lid and the closure cap and all the annular beads having acircumference that deviates from a circular shape, and preferably havinga kidney-like form. By this means, when the bulge is pressed in, asharper snap effect and hence reliable lifting of the sealing ring ofthe closure cap off the annular bead that surrounds the opening in thelid may be brought about. In addition, this results in a broad opening,whose region associated with the marginal bead extends parallel to thismarginal bead over a great length, so that drinking from the can isfacilitated.

An advantageous configuration is characterized in that all the annularbeads have a circular circumference.

Although the annular beads may assume any desired angular position inrelation to one another, it is certainly to be recommended, on visualgrounds, that the annular beads of the closure cap and those of the lidlie diametrically opposite one another. By this means, an equally largeresilient region can also be assigned to each annular bead.

In order to improve the sealing action of the sealing rings, the sealingrings may be provided with sealing elements. Rubber rings or resilientplastic rings are suitable for this, and these can be bonded to theclosure cap.

Easy handling when opening the drink can is ensured by the fact that, ina development of the invention, the bulge within the first bead ring ofthe closure cap is constructed as a spherically domed area

Favorable sealing possibilities between lid and closure cap in theopened state result if, in a development of the invention, the openingin the lid and the opening in the closure cap are essentiallycoincident.

Manufacture is simplified, in an advantageous way, if, in a developmentof the invention, the closure cap and the lid consist of the samematerial, preferably of metal.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplaryembodiments illustrated in the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a view from above of a lid of an inventive drink can;

FIG. 2 shows a cross section through this lid;

FIG. 3 shows a view of an inventive closure cap for a drink can;

FIG. 4 shows a cross section through this closure cap;

FIG. 5 shows a section along the line V—V in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 shows a section through the upper part of an inventive drink canhaving a second embodiment of the closure cap, in the original closedand sealed state of the drink can;

FIG. 7 shows a section, corresponding to FIG. 6, through the upper partof a drink can in the opened state of the seal but closed state of theopening of the lid of the drink can;

FIG. 8 shows a section, corresponding to FIG. 6, in the opened state ofthe drink can;

FIG. 9 shows a plan view of the lid side of a drink can of a thirdexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10 shows a section along the line X—X in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 shows a section along the line XI—XI in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 shows a view of a closure cap of a drink can according to thethird embodiment;

FIG. 13 shows a section along the line XII—XIII in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 shows a section along the line XIV—XIV in FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 shows a cross section through the upper part of the drink canaccording to the third embodiment, in the opened state corresponding tothe line XIV—XIV in FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 shows a cross section through the upper part of the drink can aplane lying perpendicular to FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 shows a cross section through the upper part of the drink canduring the opening phase; and

FIG. 18 shows a cross section through the upper part of the drink can ina plane lying perpendicular to FIG. 17.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As can be seen from the drawing, in particular in conjunction with FIGS.1 to 5, a lid 1 of a drink can, this lid being fixed to a body 2 of thisdrink can by means of a flanged rim 3, has an off-center opening 4,which is surrounded by an annular bead 5 which has essentially conicalflanks 6 and 7. Arranged over the lid 1 is a closure cap 8 which closesthe lid completely, as can be seen in conjunction with FIGS. 6 to 8,which show a second embodiment. The closure cap 8 is constructed like aplate and has a marginal bead 9 that widens conically outwards and whoseouter free flank 10 is flanged around the flanged rim 3 of the lid insuch a way that the closure cap 8 can be rotated with respect to the lid1 but cannot be lifted. The inner conical flank 11 of the marginal bead9 contributes significantly to stiffening the closure cap 8.

The closure cap 8 is provided with an off-center opening 12 which, givenan appropriate rotational position of the closure cap, can be broughtinto alignment with the opening 4 in the lid 1 of the drink can, that isto say has the same eccentricity. Furthermore, the closure cap 8 has anannular bead 13 (FIG. 4) which, in the assembled state, is directedtowards the lid, and has essentially conical flanks 14 and 15. Thisannular bead 13 surrounds a sealing ring 16, which is constructed insidethe annular bead 13 as a flat ring and is located within the plane ofthe bottom 17 of the closure cap. At its side that faces the lid 1 inthe assembled state, the sealing ring 16 is provided with an elasticsealing element 18, which, for example, is fastened by bonding to theunderside of the sealing ring 16. On its inner margin, the sealing ring16 is connected in one piece to a bulge 19, which is constructed so asto be deformable and, in the closed position of the drink can, has theshape of a convex spherically domed area.

In the closed and sealed state of the drink can, which emerges from FIG.6, there being no differences between the embodiments with regard to theclosed state, the annular bead 13 surrounds the annular bead 5, restingclosely with its inner flank 15 on the outer flank 7 of the annular bead5. The sealing element 18 rests in a leaktight manner and underpretension on the apex of the annular bead 5. This pretension isessentially brought about by the conical shape of the inner flank 11 ofthe marginal bead 9. In addition to this, the bottom 17 of the closurecap can be bent slightly in the direction of the lid 1, in order toreinforce this pretension further. Furthermore, the internal pressure inthe drink can presses the sealing element 18 and annular bead 5 againsteach other.

In order to open the drink can, the bulge 19 is transferred from itsconvex position into a permanent concave position by pressing in, whichduring the passage of this bulge 19 through the flat middle positionleads to an intermediate lifting of the sealing ring 16 and hence to alifting of the sealing element 18 off the apex of the annular bead 5which surrounds the opening 4 in the lid. By this means, the compressedgas in the drink can may escape, as a result of which the lid 1 of thedrink can is no longer pressed upwards with such a great force, so thatthe contact pressure between the apex of the annular bead 5 and thesealing element 18 of the sealing ring 16 is now only restricted to thepretension brought about by the closure cap 8. During the pressing-downof the bulge 19, at the instant when this bulge passes through the flatmiddle position, not only is the sealing ring 16 tilted and thus lifted,but this operation also leads to a tilting or twisting of the annularbead 13, which is only possible if the region around the annular bead 13is constructed to be resiliently compliant. When the bulge 19 assumesits permanent lower concave position, as emerges from FIG. 7, then theannular bead 13 and the sealing ring 16, because of the resilientproperties of the region accommodating them, have again assumed aposition in which the sealing ring 16 rests with pretension on theannular bead 5 of the lid. In this state, the sealing is cancelled, butthe can is still closed.

In order to achieve this necessary resilient property, the closure cap,as can be seen from FIG. 3, is provided with slits 20 or grooves 21which, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated, are arranged in such away that in each case two parallel slits are assigned to one annularbead. In FIG. 3, although, in contrast with the second embodimentaccording to FIGS. 6 to 8, the opening 12 is not provided with anannular bead, a certain resilient property is also necessary here, sincethe rim surrounding the opening 12 rests on the apex of the annular bead5 in the opened position of the drink can, and must rest there withpretension and in a sealing manner, since otherwise the liquid can getbetween the lid and the closure cap. The four slits originate from thelower region of the conical flank 11 of the marginal bead 9 and run witha sufficiently large spacing from the opening 12 or the annular bead 5,and extend approximately over one quarter of the chord of the circularbottom 17 of the closure cap.

FIG. 5 shows a groove 21, using a continuous line, and slots 20, using adashed line. Such grooves are possible, in order to achieve theresilient property of the region that surrounds the annular bead or theopening, if the closure cap consists of plastic, so that the regionwhich is weakened by the groove 21 can inherently give way. If, on theother hand, the closure caps are produced from metal, then it isexpedient to provide slits 20. This type of slit arrangement is alsoprovided in the case of the second embodiment according to FIGS. 6 to 8,although this cannot be taken from the figures because of the sectionalillustration.

The second embodiment, which is illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8, differsfrom the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 5) only in the fact that not onlyis the region enclosed by the bulge 19 surrounded by an annular bead 13,but the opening 12 is also surrounded by an annular bead 22 havingconical bead flanks 23 and 24.

FIG. 6 shows the closed and sealed state of the drink can, that is tosay the state in which the can still has not been opened. In this case,the sealing ring 16 rests with its sealing element 18 on the apex of theannular bead 5. The deformable bulge 19 still has its convex shape, andthe sealing ring is not only pressed against the annular bead 5 becauseof the pretension of the bottom 17 of the closure cap 8, but theirmutual pressing is also effected by the internal pressure prevailing inthe drink can. In order to open the can, as already described inconjunction with the first embodiment, the deformable bulge 19 ispressed, according to FIG. 7, into the permanent concave position, as aresult of which, during the transition from the convex form into theconcave form, the sealing ring 16 is briefly lifted from the apex of theannular bead 5. During this process, gas escapes from the drink can, asa result of which the sealing ring 16 is no longer pressed so hardagainst the annular bead 5. In this state, which is illustrated in FIG.7, the closure cap 8 can now be rotated, it being the case that theregions of the bottom 17 which are constructed to be resilient by meansof slits 20 and surround the annular bead 13, are lifted as a result ofthe mutual displacement of the annular beads 5 and 13 that occurs at thesame time. In this case, the oblique bead flanks 15 and 7 slide on eachother and thus effect the lifting of the resiliently constructed bottom17 of the closure cap 8. If the two bead rings 13 and 22 are locateddiametrically opposite each other, the closure cap has to be rotatedthrough 180° degrees in order that the off-center opening 12 comes tolie above the opening 4 in the lid 1 of the drinks can, as can be seenin FIG. 8. In this opened position, the annular bead 22 surrounds theannular bead 5 and rests with its inner flank 23 on the outer flank 7 ofthe annular bead 5. The annular bead 22 does not quite reach as far asthe opening 12, so that a sealing ring 25 corresponding to the sealingring 16 remains, rests in a leaktight manner on the apex of the annularbead 5 and can be provided with a sealing element 26 that is extremelythin and therefore cannot be seen in the drawing. As a result of thearrangement of the annular bead 22, the sealing ring 25 is stabilized,with the result that it rests in a leaktight manner and with pretensionby way of its sealing element 26 on the apex of the bead ring 5, and asa result achieves better sealing than is the case in the firstembodiment, in which the opening 12 is not surrounded by an annularbead. From this opened position, the closure cap 8 can be rotated againinto the closed position, which can be seen from FIG. 7. In thisposition, although the bulge 19 has already been permanently presseddownwards, the pretension of the bottom 17 is sufficient to press thesealing ring 16 by way of its sealing element 18 tightly against theapex of the annular bead 5, and hence to close the drink can if onlypart of the content has been removed following opening.

Since the annular beads 13 and 22 in each case slide over the annularbead 5 in the event of a rotation of the closure cap 8 out of theposition according to FIG. 6 into the position according to FIG. 8 andback again into the position according to FIG. 7, as a result of whichthe bottom 17 of the closure cap 8 is lifted, it is ensured that thesealing element 18 or 26 is lifted off the apex of the annular bead 5,and is thus not subjected to any shear action when the closure cap isrotated, which protects the sealing surface or the corresponding sealingelement. It can be seen from the previous description that not only doesthe opening 12 have the same eccentricity with respect to the major axisof the drink can, as is the case in the opening 4, but the region thatis closed by the bulge 19 also has the same eccentricity, with theresult that the opening 4 in the lid 1 of the drink can can be closed bythis region that is located within the annular bead 13 and, inparticular, by the sealing ring 16.

FIGS. 9 to 18 show a third, preferred embodiment of the invention.Insofar as there is agreement with the first embodiment according toFIGS. 1 to 8, the same reference symbols are provided.

The decisive difference with respect to the first embodiment is that alatching hollow 29 is constructed in the central region of the lid 1,and latching cams 28 are constructed in the central region of theclosure cap 8. The latching cams and the latching hollow are formed byimpressions 27 and 30, respectively, which are of trough-likeconstruction with rounded ends, the latching cams 28 in the closure cap8 fitting in a positively-locking manner into the latching hollow 29 inthe lid 1 when in the closed position. This fitting into one another inthe closed position can be seen in FIGS. 15 and 16. The latching hollow29 in the lid 1 has side walls 31 that taper conically in the directionof the interior of the can, and round front walls 32 which likewisetaper conically in the direction of the interior of the can. Thelatching cams 28 in the closure cap 8 have side walls 33 that taperconically in the direction of the interior of the can, and round frontwalls 34 that likewise taper conically towards the inside. In the caseof both impressions (cams and hollow), the side and front walls mergewith an appropriately small transition radius into a respectively flatbottom 35 and 36.

Because of these conically tapering walls, when the closure cap 8 isrotated with respect to the lid 1, the closure cap is lifted, since themutually touching walls are displaced like two wedge areas resting onone another during this rotational movement, this being brought about bythe rounded front ends of the impressions. In principle, the bulge 19could be dispensed with, since the lifting of the sealing ring 16 fromthe annular bead 5 that surrounds the opening 4 could be brought aboutas the result of the lifting of the closure cap 8 on account of thecooperating latching cams 27 and 28, but in the case of the preferredembodiment illustrated, the bulge 19 is maintained for the reason whichis explained below. This is because, if the bulge 19 is not present andthis is therefore not permanently deformed—as explained in the first twoexemplary embodiments—then it is not possible to see from the closurecap whether the drink can has already been opened once. In theoriginally closed state, therefore, the sealing ring 16 with its sealingelement 18 is firmly bonded on the annular bead 5 by means of anadhesive that is not illustrated in the drawing. This bonded connectionopposes the rotation of the closure cap with such a large resistancethat the closure cap cannot be rotated and the drink can cannot beopened. In order to achieve opening, the bulge 19 is permanentlydeformed inwards, that is to say is transferred into a permanent concaveform. By this means, the marginal region, as already explained inconjunction with the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 1 to 8, islifted briefly, as a result of which the sealing ring 16 and thus thefirmly bonded sealing element 18 comes free from the annular bead 5.After this, the closure cap 8 can be rotated, as already explained. Thelifting of the closure cap in its region covering the lid 1 ismaintained during the entire rotational movement, since the bottom 36rests on a rim 37 that surrounds the latching hollow 29 and projects, asemerges from FIG. 17. By this means, wear of the sealing element isreliably prevented during the rotational movement, with the result thatthe drink can may be closed again and opened as often as desired. Sinceany rubbing movement between the sealing element 18 of the sealing ring16 and the annular bead 5 is reliably dispensed with during the openingmovement, the abrasion of microfine metal particles from the annularbead 5 is avoided, as a result of which any impairments to the taste ofthe liquid contained in the drink can is avoided.

In the case of the third exemplary embodiment, the opening 4 is nolonger circular, as in the case of the first two exemplary embodiments,but is kidney shaped and thus of oval construction in its basic form.Hence, the annular bead 5 that surrounds the opening 4 is necessarilyalso configured to be kidney-shaped and, likewise, the bulge 19 and theannular bead 13 that surrounds the bulge 19 are also of kidney-shapedconstruction. This configuration leads to the bulge 19 being easier todeform and to a more pronounced lifting movement of the sealing ring 16from the annular bead 5 while the bulge 19 is being pressed in. By thismeans, the sealing of the closed position, which is produced by abonding, is more easily cancelled. The permanent pressed-in position ofthe bulge 19 following the first opening now indicates reliably that thecan has already been opened once. This contributes to the security forthe user, who is now able to assume that, given the outwardly directedshape of the bulge 19, the drink can is in its originally closed state.The result of the kidney-shaped form of the opening 4 is also that avery large marginal region of the opening is located close to themarginal bead 9, which makes drinking from the drink can easier, sinceconditions have now been provided which are like those when drinkingfrom a glass or cup.

Slits 20 are also provided in the case of the third embodiment, in orderto bring about better resilient properties of the closure cap in theregion that surrounds the annular bead 13.

Although it is not strictly necessary for the fundamental function,there is constructed in the lid 1 a second annular bead 5′, which islocated diametrically opposite the annular bead 5, has the same form asthe annular bead 5 and is located in mirror-image fashion with respectto the latter. This leads to improved stability of the lid 1.

In addition, in the opened position of the closure cap 8, the sealingring 16 comes to rest on this second annular bead 5′, which avoids anydeformation of the closure cap in the opened state, which could lead tothe sealing element 38 that surrounds the opening 12 in the closure cap8 being able to be lifted from the annular bead 5 in the opened positionof the closure cap, as a result of which liquid would penetrate betweenthe lid and the closure cap. During the subsequent closing of the drinkcan, this liquid, located between lid 1 and closure cap 8, could thenrun out of the opening 12 in the closure cap and contaminate thesurroundings. If, nevertheless, liquid should get between the lid 1 andthe closure cap 8, then this liquid is prevented from flowing out by asealing brought about by the sealing element 38 resting on the annularbead 5′.

The annular beads 13 and 22 of the closure cap 8 are identical to eachother and constructed in mirror-image fashion with respect to eachother, to be specific in the same way as the annular beads 5 and 5′ ofthe lid 1, with the result that, in the closed position, the annularbeads 5 and 13 and the annular beads 5′ and 22 cooperate, and in theopened position, the annular beads 5 and 22 and the annular beads 5′ and13 cooperate.

while the foregoing description and drawings represent the presentinvention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variouschanges may be made therein without departing from the true spirit andscope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A drink can comprising: a lid that is fastened toa cylindrical can body by a flanged rim; said lid having an off-centeropening and a closure cap that covers over the entire lid and is mountedon the flanged rim in a rotatable but non-removable fashion, by a fixedmarginal bead; the opening in the lid being surrounded by an annularbead having essentially conical bead flanks; the closure cap having anoff-center opening that can be brought into alignment with the openingin the lid; the closure cap having at least one off-center annular beadthat is directed towards the lid and having essentially conical beadflanks, surrounding a sealing ring and projecting with respect to thelatter in the direction of the lid; given an appropriate rotationalposition of the closure cap, the sealing ring rests in a leaktightmanner and under pretension on the apex of the annular bead thatsurrounds the opening in the lid; wherein if in the closure cap only oneat least one off-center annular bead is constructed, this one at leastone off-center annular bead surrounds the sealing ring and a closedregion placed within the sealing ring, and, in the closed position ofthe closure cap, the sealing ring rests in a leak-tight manner and underpretension on the apex of the annular bead that surrounds the opening inthe lid; in the central region of the closure cap there is constructed alatching cam that engages in a latching hollow in the lid; and when theclosure cap is rotated, the latching cam cooperates with the latchinghollow and, in so doing, moves an inner region of the closure cap thatis surrounded by the fixed marginal bead into a position in which theinner region is resiliently bowed outwards and in which the sealing ringcomes free from the annular bead that surrounds the lid opening.
 2. Thedrink can according to claim 1, wherein the at least one off-centerannular bead of the closure cap, which in the closed position surroundsthe annular bead that surrounds the opening in the lid, surrounds aclosed region that is formed by the sealing ring and a deformable bulgethat is located within the sealing ring, in that, in order to open thedrink can for the first time, the bulge can be pressed in from itsconvex position into a permanent concave position, it being the casethat, during the transition from the convex into the concave position,the sealing ring comes briefly free from the apex of the annular beadthat surrounds the opening in the lid, in order to subsequently restagain with pretension on the apex of the annular bead that surrounds theopening in the lid in the concave position of the bulge.
 3. The drinkcan according to claim 1, wherein the latching cam and the latchinghollow are formed by impressions, which are directed towards theinterior of the drink can and deviate from a circular shape, in both thelid and the closure cap, and these impressions engage in one another inthe closed position of the closure cap.
 4. The drink can according toone of claim 1, wherein the latching hollow in the lid is surrounded bya rim that projects outwards beyond the lid surface.
 5. A drink cancomprising: a lid that is fastened to a cylindrical can body by aflanged rim; said lid having an off-center opening and a closure capthat covers over the entire lid and is mounted on the flanged rim in arotatable but non-removable fashion, by a fixed marginal bead; theopening in the lid being surrounded by an annular bead havingessentially conical bead flanks; the closure cap having an off-centeropening that can be brought into alignment with the opening in the lid;the closure cap having at least one off-center annular bead that isdirected towards the lid and having essentially conical bead flanks; theclosure cap including with the at least one off-center annular bead, ineach case starting from the inner bead flank, a flat sealing ringadjoining, and, given an appropriate rotational position of the closurecap, resting in a leaktight manner under pretension on an apex of theannular bead that surrounds the opening in the lid; wherein if in theclosure cap only one at least one off-center annular bead isconstructed, this at least one off-center annular bead surrounds aclosed region that is formed by the sealing ring and a deformable bulgethat is located within the sealing ring; in the closed position, theannular bead in the closure cap surrounding the annular bead in the lidthat surrounds the opening in the lid, and the sealing ring resting in aleaktight manner under pretension on the apex of the annular bead thatsurrounds the opening in the lid; wherein in order to open the drink canfor the first time, the bulge can be pressed in from its convex positioninto a permanent concave position, it being the case that, during thetransition from the convex into the concave position, the sealing ringcoming briefly free from the apex of the annular bead that surrounds theopening in the lid, in order then to rest again with pretension on thebead apex in the concave position; the annular bead in the closure capprojecting in the direction of the lid, beyond the sealing ring; and theregion of the closure cap in which an annular bead is constructed can bedeflected resiliently with respect to the fixed marginal bead of theclosure cap.
 6. The drink can according to claims 1 or 5, wherein, inthe event that two at least one off-center annular beads are constructedand having sealing rings located on the inside in each case, the secondat least one off-center annular bead, with sealing ring, surrounds theoff-center opening in the closure cap.
 7. The drink can according toclaims 1 or 5, wherein there is constructed in the lid a second annularbead which corresponds to the size and shaping of the annular bead thatsurrounds the opening in the lid.
 8. The drink can according to claims 1or 5, wherein, in the appropriate rotational position of the closurecap, in which the respective at least one off-center annular bead of theclosure cap surrounds the annular bead of the lid, the inner flanks ofthe at least one off-center annular beads that are constructed in theclosure cap rest closely on the outer flank of the annular bead of thelid.
 9. The drink can according to claims 1 or 5, wherein both theopenings in the lid and the closure cap and all the annular beads have acircumference that deviates from a circular shape, and have akidney-like form.
 10. The drink can according to claims 1 or 5, whereinall the annular beads have a circular circumference.
 11. The drink canaccording to claim 1 or 5, wherein the annular beads of the closure capand those of the lid lie diametrically opposite one another.
 12. Thedrink can according to claims 1 or 5, wherein the sealing rings areprovided with sealing elements.
 13. The drink can according to claims 1or 5, wherein the bulge within the first bead ring of the closure cap isconstructed as a spherically domed area.
 14. The drink can according toclaims 1 or 5, wherein the opening in the lid and the opening in theclosure cap are essentially coincident.
 15. The drink can according toclaim 1 or 5, wherein the closure cap is constructed like a plate with amarginal bead that widens conically outwards, the outer free flank ofthe marginal bead being used for fastening to the flanged rim of thedrink can.
 16. The drink can according to claim 15, wherein the bottomof the closure cap is bent slightly in the direction of the lid of thedrink can.
 17. The drink can according to claims 1 or 5, wherein theclosure cap and the lid consist of the same material.
 18. The drink canaccording to claim 17, wherein the material is metal.
 19. The drink canaccording to claim 1 or 5, wherein a resiliently constructed regionwhich accommodates the at least one off-center annular bead is partlybounded by slits in the closure cap, these slits extending at a distancefrom the at least one off center annular bead, starting from the innerconical flank of the fixed marginal bead of the closure cap andextending over part of the closure cap dimension.
 20. The drink canaccording to claim 19, wherein each at least one off-center annular beadis assigned two slits, which are located in mirror-image fashion onopposite sides of the respective at least one off-center annular bead.21. The drink can according to claim 19, wherein grooves are providedinstead of the slits.
 22. The drink can according to claim 19, whereinthe slits or the grooves extend essentially parallel to a tangent to theat least one off-center annular bead.